I made my first trip to China in June 2024 and Temple of Heaven got the honour of being my first World Heritage Site in China. And what a fantastic site it is! I arrived by bus to the east gate of the temple (there's also a metro station here), and as there were no queues to the ticket counters, I was quickly inside of the temple area. You have option to buy a general ticket that only includes the entrance to the park area or the "all inclusive" ticket that includes the entrance to all the altars and halls of prayer. I obviously got the all inclusive ticket.

When you enter from the east you will immediately see the roof of famous Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests directly ahead of you. However, I didn't head directly to there as I wanted to visit the temple in correct order, and that is to start from the south entrance! It's possible to walk along the eastern edge of the temple area to the south entrance, and in the summer heat it was a pleasant walk under the pine trees. In the more remote parts of the temple compound like this, you will encounter locals doing traditional dances or physical exercises. The temple compound is huge so it took some time until I arrived to the Circular Mound Altar that is located at the southern entrance. Most Chinese tour groups seem to start their visit from the south gate, but arriving by public transportation it's easier to enter from the east or west gate. The Circular Mound Altar is included in the general ticket but the Imperial Vault of Heaven next to it requires the "all inclusive" ticket. The Vault is like a miniature version of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and it's good to visit it before the Hall of Prayer, as afterwards it could feel underwhelming. You will already get good view of the temple area from the top of the Circular Mound Altar and sense of the Central Axis that this site's design is based on.

From the Imperial Vault starts a long walk along the Vermilion Steps Bridge towards the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (pictured). It was especially demanding walk in the direct summer sunshine and heat. The Hall of Prayer requires the all inclusive ticket for the visit. Most visitors to the temple only visit the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the crowds where on another level here than in any other place in the temple. But oh boy, isn't it a beautiful site! The blue roof shines beautifully in the sun and building is impressive in its size also. I took it all in by walking around the Hall and peeking inside (not much to see there). The hall looks very recently renovated as the paint on the walls is so strikingly bright.

After visiting the Hall of Prayer I walked to the Animal Killing Pavilion (quite direct name of what used to happen there) and from there I walked to explore the western parts of the temple compound. After checking out the rose garden, and surprisingly clean toilets, I arrived to the Fasting Palace where the emperor fasted for few days before the solstice ceremonies at the temple. The palace was very peaceful, almost no one else was there and it was nice relief after the crowds at the Hall of Prayer. No big wows at the palace, just few exhibitions only in Chinese, but I recommend still to check it out. My visit ended at the western gate from you can visit the Yongdingmen Park, part of the Beijing Central Axis WH site.